1. Cheekh

This newly aired suspense drama serial is the talk of the town. The plot revolves around the mystery of Nayab’s killer/rapist and the consequences that follow. The story starts off easy with the camaraderie of three best friends; Mannat (Saba Qamar), Nayab (Ushna Shah) and Haya (Azekah Daniel). Things later take a turn for the worst when Nayab is brutally raped and murdered at her best friend’s house. Directed by Badar Mehmood, the story deals with social issues like rape, toxic step-mother and selling off daughters in the name of marriage. So far, so good! Just four episodes in and we’re hooked. The entire cast has done an outstanding job with their respective roles. Can’t wait to see how the story unfolds and will justice be served? Will Mannat win the fight against all odds and bring justice to Nayab? Or will Cheekh be just another drama where money wins all?
2. Beti

Maryam (Saheeefa Jabbar Khattak) marries Azhar (Fahad Mirza) her university mate and lover despite him warning her that his family is different. Azhar’s family is led by his tyrannical grandmother Shahana who only wants sons to be born in her household. Therefore when Sonia (Zainab Ahmed), Azhar’s sister-in-law, gives birth prematurely to a daughter she’s forced to kill her by taking her off of life support. Maryam who is also pregnant with a daughter is determined to fight for her daughter and is disgusted by Azhar’s grandmother and her wrong doings. Drama serial Beti is based on child discrimination and the battle of a mother for her daughter’s life and rights against all. But will Shahana stop with her evil ways?
3. Kaisa Hai Naseeban

Mariam (Ramsha Khan) is married to her cousin Ahmed (Muneeb butt) under the illusion that he’s a well-established rich businessman, who resides in Malaysia along with his mother and sister. Upon landing in Malaysia with her Phupho (Uzma Gillani) and the rest of her family, turns out that what was told to her father was a far cry from the truth. The story is based on the notion of domestic abuse, fraud marriages and dowry system that is prevailing in the Pakistani society. Uzma Gillani nails it as the conniving mother in law and her performance really makes you despise her character. On the other hand, Ramsha Khan really does justice to her character of a sheltered and pampered daughter who’s always been told, her in-law’s house is her true home and she’s to be patient through the worst of times but never return to her parent’s home because lest the family honor be ruined! Petty mentality but unfortunately this mindset still plagues the lower middle and middle class in our society. Mariam’s journey is of pain and a cold reminder that there are many like her in real life.
4. Angan

Directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin and produced by Momina Duraid Productions, Angan is the most anticipated and heavily casted period play based on an award-winning novel by Khadija Mastoor. Angan is a romance drama set in the pre partition era with Aaliya (Mawra Hocane) as its protagonist. It’s a visual treat through all the family drama, emotional tension and powerful dialogues. Chammi (Sajal Aly) brings light and joy to an otherwise intense and serious play. It’s a promising start and only time will tell if it’ll live up to the hype or not. Watching a period play makes one think that except for freedom, has much changed in our society?
5. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi is an unusual love story of Noori (Iqra Aziz) and Bhola (Imran Ashraf). Noori , daughter of sweeper, is an ambitious girl who has big dreams to live a better life than what her parents have provided for her. In her quest to work and sustain herself whilst studying, she falls in love with Sahir (Syed Jibran) a local shop owner. Whereas her parents have decided to wed her off (read: sell her off) to an old aged criminal and womanizer Shokay (Noor Ul Hassan Malik) with 2 Lacs as Haq Meher. Forgetting all her life goals she is hell bent on marrying Sahir and because of him puts herself in a fix by stealing from her workplace. All hell breaks loose on her here forth, and with no option left she ends up being married to Bhola who is mentally challenged. Imran Ashraf has performed Bhola with great sensitivity and has done an immaculate job. We can’t wait to see rest of the story unfold.




Image courtesy: The Daily Star
Credit: Debanjan Chowdhury































































